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Can a hardware upgradeaholic like myself get by with Vista OEM?

AdamK47

AdamK47

Lifer
I've been hearing all sorts of stories concerning this. Some say that you can't use it again once you upgrade your motherboard. Others are saying they upgraded their motherboard and are running the same Vista OEM version just fine. Then there are some who say you can upgrade the motherboard and all it takes to reactivate Windows is a call to Microsoft. Being the early adopter I am, I'm always upgrading my hardware. The MicroCenter store near me is selling OEM Vista Home Premium 64-bit for $129. If it's possible to upgrade my hardware and still use the same Vista OEM copy I'd like to go ahead and get it. I'd like to get first hand experience with this question, not the "I've heard from somebody whos heard from somebody else thats read on some blah blah blah site..." you get the idea.
 
You already know the answer.


OEM is tied to one motherboard. If you upgrade them frequently then you'll be buying lots of OEM copies. If you manage to find some workaround then you'll be: 1) one of those guys on the forums griping about how they can't get something to reinstall or activate and you'll be all bitter and sh1t. and 2) A criminal.


Now is the *perfect* time to fork over and buy a retail copy. Yep retail is expensive but that's it.. you're done for years! I'm betting I'll get through *at least* 4-6 whole computers on my copy before Windows 7 ships. It works out a lot cheaper than OEM that way.

If you were asking about XP I would say go OEM since it's near the end of life.
 
One problem with getting the retail version is that according to some people it only comes with a 32-bit DVD. To get 64-bit I would have to buy the 32-bit version, go to the Microsoft site and enter the information from the 32-bit retail package, then wait for it to be shipped (with the shipping I have to pay for). It's so many levels of stupid.
 
I've not heard one way or the other on this.


Still sounds better than purchasing a stupid OEM copy *at launch*!!!
 
Althought apparently bitter [/b]Smilin[/b] is correct. You are best off buying Retail and then paying the little extra to get the 64-bit version shipped to you.
 
ROFL. Less bitter. m'kay good luck with that. What you're really asking is if someone has experience violating their EULA and running OEM Vista on more than one rig.

You might get "less bitter" but more than likely you'll just get your thread locked.


Good Luck!
 
Originally posted by: Smilin
ROFL. Less bitter. m'kay good luck with that. What you're really asking is if someone has experience violating their EULA and running OEM Vista on more than one rig.

You might get "less bitter" but more than likely you'll just get your thread locked.


Good Luck!
Click to expand...

No, same PC. It may turn into a whole new PC in a couple years, but same PC.
 
Originally posted by: AdamK47
Originally posted by: Smilin
ROFL. Less bitter. m'kay good luck with that. What you're really asking is if someone has experience violating their EULA and running OEM Vista on more than one rig.

You might get "less bitter" but more than likely you'll just get your thread locked.


Good Luck!
Click to expand...

No, same PC. It may turn into a whole new PC in a couple years, but same PC.
Click to expand...

k. If you don't upgrade your mobo then you'll be good to go for years to come with OEM.

If you upgrade your mobo then according to your EULA you have a new PC and everything I've already said applies.

Anyhooo. Good luck again! 🙂
 
No, same PC. It may turn into a whole new PC in a couple years, but same PC.
Click to expand...

MS has laid out their rules on what they consider a new PC, now it's up to you to decide if you want to be legal and follow them or not.
 
Originally posted by: Nothinman
No, same PC. It may turn into a whole new PC in a couple years, but same PC.
Click to expand...

MS has laid out their rules on what they consider a new PC, now it's up to you to decide if you want to be legal and follow them or not.
Click to expand...

Then can you provide me an official link to Microsoft that provide me these laid out rules?
 
Originally posted by: SoundTheSurrender
google it you lazy question asking person who is to lazy to find his own answers.
Click to expand...

Such hostility in this Operating System forum. It reminds me of the time when I was a poor sexually deprived 20 year old geek living with my parents and browsing these same forums. I was once like you, but I changed. you can too! I believe in you!
 
Such hostility in this Operating System forum. It reminds me of the time when I was a poor sexually deprived 20 year old geek living with my parents and browsing these same forums. I was once like you, but I changed. you can too! I believe in you!
Click to expand...

ad hominem attacks won't win you a lot of favors.
 
Originally posted by: AdamK47
Originally posted by: SoundTheSurrender
google it you lazy question asking person who is to lazy to find his own answers.
Click to expand...

Such hostility in this Operating System forum. It reminds me of the time when I was a poor sexually deprived 20 year old geek living with my parents and browsing these same forums. I was once like you, but I changed. you can too! I believe in you!
Click to expand...

Ya, now you are a 30 year old sexually deprived male living in a apartment.
 
Originally posted by: Nothinman
Such hostility in this Operating System forum. It reminds me of the time when I was a poor sexually deprived 20 year old geek living with my parents and browsing these same forums. I was once like you, but I changed. you can too! I believe in you!
Click to expand...

ad hominem attacks won't win you a lot of favors.
Click to expand...

I didn't expect it to help nor did I expect a link to an official page to Microsoft clearly explaining the matter. I did smile and laugh out loud while typing it, so at least I get something out of it.
 
Originally posted by: SoundTheSurrender
Originally posted by: AdamK47
Originally posted by: SoundTheSurrender
google it you lazy question asking person who is to lazy to find his own answers.
Click to expand...

Such hostility in this Operating System forum. It reminds me of the time when I was a poor sexually deprived 20 year old geek living with my parents and browsing these same forums. I was once like you, but I changed. you can too! I believe in you!
Click to expand...

Ya, now you are a 30 year old sexually deprived male living in a apartment.
Click to expand...

A house, but I don't see what's wrong living in an apartment. I am sexually deprived... I'm married.
 
Vista OEM is tied to the motherboard. Do a search for Vista in this forum and you'll find the information you seek quickly enough.
 
I didn't expect it to help nor did I expect a link to an official page to Microsoft clearly explaining the matter. I did smile and laugh out loud while typing it, so at least I get something out of it.
Click to expand...

Well hopefully you and SoundTheSurrender will get a small vacation from the forums for being so childish too.
 
Hello, in an attempt to actually help out the OP here's what my OEM copy of Vista said when I installed it.

It said I may activate it any number of times, and that after changing a major hardware component (I.E. Motherboard) as long as I activate it again after three days it should be fine, unless they suspect abuse.

So the OEM *will* let you swap components, you just need to activate ASAP.
 
Originally posted by: Elif Tymes
Hello, in an attempt to actually help out the OP here's what my OEM copy of Vista said when I installed it.

It said I may activate it any number of times, and that after changing a major hardware component (I.E. Motherboard) as long as I activate it again after three days it should be fine, unless they suspect abuse.

So the OEM *will* let you swap components, you just need to activate ASAP.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I remember seeing a few replies on this board and others where people who had Vista OEM installed changed their motherboard without any problems with activation. I kinda figured there was something up with these rumors and that's why I stipulated in my opening post that I wanted first hand experience or solid proof to those claims.
 
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